Thedewsperspective

My mama used to say, “just keep on living.” Meaning, in due time you’ll understand. Welp, I’d hate to be premature and inaccurate with my assessment of Mr. PrimeTime Sanders reasoning to leave Jackson State University, but after watching his team play Saturday, I think I understand. And the world is about to understand, not to question Prime and his relationship with GOD ever again. He’s favored.

This past Saturday on September 2, 2023, my wife and I had the privilege to watch the University of Colorado play football against the #17 ranked Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. It was an away game for the Buffaloes, but it was sorta like a homecoming for Coach Prime. Not only did Deion Sanders play in Texas as a Dallas Cowboy. He’d also spent time coaching, mentoring and pouring into a lot of young men throughout the community in Fort Worth, Texas. He was back, along with a band of young men who either believed in his vision or were in the process of becoming believers. Just like award winning journalist, Ed Werder, whom Coach Prime vehemently asked at the post game conference, “do you believe now”?

Do You Believe? The title of this editorial. The only fitting title for Coach Prime. Do you believe? I must be honest, I didn’t know what to expect for Coach Prime and the University of Colorado football team debut under his leadership and tutelage. I knew it would be exciting and entertaining, but I didn’t know anything else. And if I’m being honest, I must say that I was in my feelings when Deion announced that he was leaving JSU, an HBCU program for greener pastures in the rocky mountains. Just being emotional as a black male graduate from an HBCU (Coppin State University) who wanted Deion, and apparently, only Deion to be weighted with the responsibility to revitalize black college sports. But after watching Shedeur, Travis, Dylan make big play after big play on primetime television against a top 20 ranked FBS Division I football team, I’m convinced that Coach Prime had to leave to fulfill his promise.

Travis Hunter was the number one recruit when Coach Prime got him to sign a letter of intent to join him at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. Dylan Edwards has been coached by Prime since he was 4 years old. And his son, Shedeur was fathered by a Hall of Famer, two sport star athlete, GOD-fearing man who believes through favor all things are possible. I’m certain that Coach Prime didn’t only promise these young men athletic and academic scholarships if they followed and listened to him. I’m sure he also promised them the opportunity to showcase their talent on the broadest spectrum, increasing the likelihood of them living their childhood dream of playing professional football in the National Football League. And that’s exactly what he has to offer at University of Colorado, right now.

In the 2023 NFL draft there was only one HBCU player drafted. His name is Isaiah Bolden from JSU and he was chosen 245th by the New England Patriots. Were there no other players from an HBCU program good enough to play professionally in the National Football League? Or is there still stigmas, poor narratives shaping the negative perception of the programs and talent of the individuals who play at historically black colleges and universities? Whatever the case may be, Coach Prime couldn’t fulfill his promise to his boys by staying at JSU. He had to leave.

What we’re about to witness in Coach Prime is more ministerial than football. He’s preaching to his boys, not just coaching them up. He’s sharing testimonials that’s bigger than x’s and o’s. He’s motivational and spiritually influenced. During an Erin Andrews interview that played before the game against TCU, she asked about his influence at JSU and what was he most proud of doing there. He took a breath and then said, “we brought the light, we hit the switch.” When she asked, “how do you turn on the light here”? Mr. Sanders said, “We did it. It came with us.” The light came with him. JC.

I’m a believer. I believe in Coach Prime and I believe in who and what he believes in. Whether he leads his team to a 6 win 6 loss record, a bowl game, a losing record or the national championship, I believe. And I also believe that we’re about to bear witness to greatness in Coach Prime as a big time FBS Division I Head Football Coach. This is bigger than football.